The Super Simple Hack That Makes Cheap Artwork Look Expensive
Expensive oversized artwork can make a room feel finished, but it’s also difficult to afford. That’s why Matilde Cascella’s $50 art trick is so smart: Instead of buying a pricey canvas, she picked up the “ugliest, cheapest” framed art she could find at HomeGoods and painted right over it.
The result is a massive, custom-looking piece above her couch that looks way more expensive than it actually was. It makes her 450-square-foot apartment feel so complete, too!
How to Turn Cheap Framed Art into Expensive-Looking Wall Decor
“I didn’t have a budget for art, so I went to HomeGoods and picked the ugliest, cheapest, framed art I could find, brought it home, and painted over it so I could have a massive framed canvas piece of art above my couch for $50,” Matilde explained at the time of the House Tour.
It’s that simple! If you have some reluctance based on your artistry skills, I understand — but there are so many easy ways to fake it till you make it. For example, if you find a piece that you mostly like but it’s a little too vibrant for your space, you can whitewash the art by combining white paint and water to calm the saturation down.
If you wanted to add some dimension, while also having a bit of fun, you could create a textured look on the canvas using spackle (and it’s under $10!). Or you can do a full send and completely paint over it with just one paint color. Think of yourself as a version of Yves Klein, creating your own Blue Monochrome piece.
Matilde’s hack unlocks the ability to fill your walls with beautiful, custom-looking canvases without spending oodles of money. You could also make it a friend and family event and trade canvases to make memories while decorating your home with thoughtful artwork.
To see more of the gorgeous tricks in Matilde’s apartment, visit the full House Tour.